The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-25
RETRIBUTIUN.
BY "1HE Duchess
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
A sweeping lawn; broad terraces; far
away as the eye can see a cleaning.
swayinq ocean. Behind the lawn back
ground of giant frs that blot out the sky
in that direction, and throw into brilliant
relief the white clad figures darting to
and fro upon the tennis ground
Gerald Massareene, having lost his
game, flngs his racket to the winds, and
throws himself prone at the feet of Ma
dine Roche.
"Pretty place, ehY" says he. "Sooth-
ing to the nerves after the town feverY'
Then looking at her and marking the ex-
treme repose Of her bearing, that almost
borders upon lassitude, he says gently,
"Tiredy'
"No.n
She brightens up with an effort and
smiles at him In her kindest fashion.
Her thoughts are tangled-her mind per-
turbed. Both are far from the busy
scene before her. A sense of despair, of
inability to move I'M the path that
stretched out so temptingly to her view,
has saddened her eyes and given a
mournful curve to her beautiful mouth.
Her days passed here with Maurice Duran
have been infinitely sweeter to her than
ever she had dreamed they might be. The
very nearness of their companionship had
had its charm, and though no word of
love had come from his lips, still, eyes
can speak when words are forbidden; and
though honor renders one dumb, who can
prevent the sense of gladness that comes
with the touch Of one belovedg
Sweet days too sweet to last-and
swift as sweet. A whole fortnight has
gone by--two weeks crowded with such
exquisite recollections as will (unhap-
PLY cling to her fo- all her life. And
now it is the 16th-to morrow will be the
night of the grand ball, given in honor OF
Capt. Boyle's birthday, who is expected to
arrive about an hour before it opens,
and then Another cruelty blissful
week, perhaps, and after that return to
town, and-a hurried wedding! Then
exile from all that has made life not only
endurable but perfect.
Sometimes thought of Paul Annerley
has crossed her mind, but, as a rule, she
has resolutely put all remembrance of
him far from her. She had told herself
that this one holiday at least should be
her own. Afterward let oblivion, let mis-
cry come, but Just for these few happy
days she would let utter joy hold sway.
She had heard nothing of her future hus-
band since her departure, and If at times
it had occurred to her as strange that he
had not written to her from those for
eign cities, whittier his search of the rob-
Der of the famous sapphires led him, the
sense of relief in not having to write to
him swallowed up all such wonder
"How should feel tiredS" she says
now, smiling at Gerald Massareene, who
has become quite friend Of hers.
He has found in her an ally-a certain
partisan, who derides the notion of Milli-
cents ever consenting to fulfill her love-
less engagement to Capt. Boyle while
her heart is given to another. That other,
now stretched at the pretty partisans
feet, is quite willing to accept her read
ing Of the situation. Though Millicent
herself has been somewhat difficult to
understand, little vague in her answers,
trife willful, in degree-a marked
degree-averse to being brought to the
point, still Mr.. Massareene is inclined to
believe in the creed of his pretty confdante
when she declares herself ready to affirm
publicly her belief in the constancy Of his
fair, If rather trying, love.
"WeL, I'm glad you are not" says he
pleasantly, alluding to her assertion that
she knows no fatigue. Tonight
there will be an influx of guests, or
dered like the supper, for tomorrow
night, and it would not do to be in poor
form. You look pale, however"
"Are many comingS'' Enough to
make us put on our best bib and tucker
and our choicest manners. You will
have to make your very best bow to the
lord lieutenant of the county, and to
smirk at youthful if very famous gen
eral The only thing to be careful about
is not to overdo it tonight to remember
that the morrow will bring the big
Nautch, and to reserve some smiles for
the hero of the hour"
He speaks with some bitterness.
'To-morrow night will bring Capt.
Boyle" She looks at him softly out OF
her serene eyes. "Do not let that make
you unhappy. His presence means less
than nothing. Indeed, believe 1t will
do your cause good.
"Sweet prophetessl l would / dared
share your creed"
"What creedp" asks Duran, who has
joined them unseen.
"a belief Miss Roche has in the un-
conquerable power of love-" replies Mas
sareene gayly, springing to his feet and
crossing the close turf to where he can
see Millicent standing, for once, alone.
"And SO you believe In loves omnipo-
tency," says Duran, gazing at Nadine
with calm searching eyes. "You"
"There is surprise in your tone-and
doubt. Why should l not hold such
creeds' returns she steadily, though her
lips have grown very pale.
81 cannot answer that here. VIII you
come with me to the Firwood' I shall
not keep you long, and must speak to
you. Do not refuse me, Nadine. This is
probably the last hour we shall ever have
together leave the park the day after
tomorrow
She had shrunk little from him when
first he appealed to her, but as his plead
ing grew stronger, more impassioned, she
rose With her eyes downnast and her
color faded to a pallor that bespoke an
anguished heart, she moved beside him
to the wood he had mentioned
Presently they enter it. The eternal
greenness of it stirs her blood once more
to an admiration that rouses her and
compels her return to the immediate
present Ever since she had obeyed his
word, and risen and followed him hither,
she had been in kind Of waking dream
that had been too sweet to permit her
desire for its dissolution, Now, however,
that she is fully awake to her danger as
well as to her pain, 1t Is too late to with
draw from q tete-a-tete, that she feels
must rive her soul
Duran, stopping abruptly beneath the
spreading branches of huge Scotch fir,
lays his hand upon her arm thus arrest
ing her footsteps also.
"If love be indeed all-powerful how is
it that l have failedr' he asks in u low
tone. "No love was ever stronger than
that l bear for you, and yet it has been
of no avail when matched against the
barrier that stands between you and me.
Has it been my fault or Is 1t that the
love should be equal on both sides, and
that-yours-falls below the mark9"
She had been standing with lowered
lids and trembling hands, but now, as
though forced to it against her will, she
looks at him, Her large, dark, mournful
eyes are full Of reproach-mute, but so
terrible that his heart grows warm within
him. Alas! how clearly in those melan-
choly eyes is her pure love lying.
"It is true, then! have your love-" he
says, always in IA low voice, but none the
less ecstatically; "and if so, my dearest,
why will you repulse me' All! have
pity on me, if you will not on yourselfl
Think-think before you sacrifice us
both To u mistaken sense of duty
II have given my word, says Nadine
Tiny promise"
"a word--s promise-better broken.
See here, my love, | have lived many
years longer than you, Too many,n he
says after pause, that 10 lilled with re-